Flash Tizzle

4-2 Westcoast roadtrip is definitely more than I could have hoped for. I'm especially impressed with how they handled Santana. He dominated Detroit's lineup his last start, and I was expected similar results this evening. Garland didn't impress me, but what's important is he limited damage following his three run, 5th inning. We can thank Salmon and Cintron for that.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Apr 30, 2006 -> 12:39 AM) They're not BOOing they're say BOOzynski Agrees with you. Concerning this Pierzynski HBP, it really highlights this bulls*** system for administering warnings. It has been called numerous occasions against our team, as Guillen mentioned within the article. Apparently, because both ballclubs were warned to avoid such incidents before the series began, following the first HBP the next would lead to an ejection. So whomever hits the first batter realizes unless the other team is willing to lose a pitcher, they won't retaliate. It's not going to help matters--if anything, it should increase HBP's. I'm going to be upset tomorrow if one of Garlands two seem fastballs happen to hit a batters wrist and he's immediately ejected. What happened with Escobar is about as blatant and purposeful a hits batsman as can possibly exist. He's on record as disliking AJ for Christs sake..

I missed tonight's game, so I'm not certain whether there's a particular play you're referring to, but we're not left with many options regarding a replacement. Podsednik at 70% remains a better option than anything readily available on our bench. If he's reluctant to dive for a ball or otherwise give full effort, obviously, it's a problem. Defensive gaffes are easier to overlook since Anderson patrols CF. The SB issue, however, still needs to be addressed. More so than his questionable defense. He may be able to overcome discomfort in the batters box, but unless he's 100%, his SB adventures are detrimental to this ballclub.

soxtalk.com/chat. I have to wake up early tomorrow, so you can all share in the agony of me staying home on a Friday. Anderson had a TERRIBLE read on that pitch. Almost as if he misjudged the distance of the wall while backing up.

Garcia, you damn well better throw a 1-2-3 next inning.

I'm noticing Weaver has trouble throwing a strike once he alters his motion. It can change, of course, but besides the one thrown to Juan the rest have been well out of the zone.

Talk about loss off velocity, Weaver hasn't thrown above 84..... I'd suggest perhaps the radar gun is off, but Garcia doesn't appear to be throwing harder than his readings.

QUOTE(The Critic @ Apr 28, 2006 -> 08:25 PM) It could be a result of throwing a lot of innings over the years, but to drop that much velocity this suddenly makes me wonder if there's more to it than that. Inevitably, steroid allegations will be associated with Garcia. Wheter or not that's what you were alluding to, it's bound to come up. Players in their late 20's/early 30's don't lose 5 mph fastball for no apparent reason. Personally, I believe he's injured to some degree. It's just odd how the one game against Detroit he apparently regained his velocity, yet, has to reach similar velocity since.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 28, 2006 -> 08:19 PM) It's just mind-boggling how bad of a base runner he's become. There's really no damn need for him to even have a sizable lead with Thome at the plate. Nice to see Garcia has stepped up. He's already beginning to irritate me through four batters.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Apr 28, 2006 -> 08:15 PM) Ouch. Great throw Terrible concentration on Podsednik's part. Contrary to what Hawk/DJ say, you don't see many pickoffs of a runner at 1st base by a catcher for a reason.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Apr 28, 2006 -> 01:25 PM) Hawk has to be the most pompous, self-righteous, egotistical announcer in sports. And another thing, I'm noticing a lot of, "I used to hate DJ, but, now..." comments, yet, there are still people out there calling Farmer and Singleton the worst radio tandum in history. Last I checked, that was Darrin's first job in broadcasting as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, Soxtalk, I know you will. I wouldn't exactly give him that title. Considering he's first to criticize his own baseball abilities, the pompous and self-righteous titles certaintly don't apply. I'll give you egotistical, although I haven't exactly listened to every announcer across sports to compare him too. Still, more often than not both agree on subjects discussed within the booth. His ego doesn't trample many broadcasts. It's topics which they don't agree on--aka., occasions which the viewers endure long, uncomfortable pauses--which everyone remembers. Singleton may improve. Just as Brian Anderson may be future hall-of-famer one day. Although seriously, I didn't listen to DJ's first stinct in radio, so I can't say whether he did as poorly as Singleton.

QUOTE(Rex Kickass @ Apr 28, 2006 -> 12:32 PM) This seems more along the lines of the first steps of a MAD type agenda that Russia has in mind. It's actually quite smart - and something that the US might have also accomplished down the road if they ever thought to start talking to Iran. What exactly are you implying here? It would have been intelligent of the United States to sell missle-defense systems to Iran to ensure a MAD scenario between themselves and Israel?

Anyone find it hilarious how relaxed the catcher appears during the incident? He turns around to observe the bat-flip, then calmly places his mask back on.

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ Apr 28, 2006 -> 08:18 AM) Anyway, I had heard this a while ago, back in the beginning of '05. The other big clue was, if you remember, when there was a Sox home game on FOX national last year and, as it turned out, it was DJ with the FOX guy. I had never heard DJ seem so loose and talk so much--it was that noticeable. I have no further information to add regarding their alleged fued, but I've noticed DJ's broadcasting skills when disconnected from Hawk as well. Two years ago was perhaps the moment I realized how much Hawk restricts DJ. I believe it was a FOX afternoon game against the Indians. I was surprised how well he did. It made me appreciate the patience it takes to work alongside Hawk. Even with their troubles, I enjoy their interaction. Everytime someone complains about either it only heightens my appreciation for them. I don't tune into baseball games in hopes of gaining insightful commentary. I tune in for entertainment. This essentially is baseball, right? Hawk/DJ provide a comfortable atmosphere for me. Yes, the homerism can be unbearable on occasions, but Hawk's enthusiasm for the ballclub is what makes him unique. Half the damn broadcasters in baseball all sound alike, act like anyway. It's good to have an original voice.

Friday: Garcia v. Weaver. Saturday: Contreras v. Escobar Sunday: Garland v. Santana You may not be too happy leaving the ballpark on Sunday.

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Apr 27, 2006 -> 09:31 AM) Drive nearby, then get on the train. The location I have to attend for my work clinic isn't exactly in the best neighborhood. This is the sole reason for driving to school. There's no direct bus or train route which could drop me within two blocks of the building. I'd have to walk nearly 6 blocks back and forth through a crime riddled neighborhood, dressed nicely, in the evening. Not a fan of that scenario. Monday's rally might not even be as large as the one which occured last month.

Great timing. This conjoined protest happens to fall on the one occasion I'm obligated to drive downtown. This is going to be brutal. Last protest rally Harrison and Halsted were virtually deadlocked. Traffic is already tight with the Dan Ryan reconstruction--this can't possibly help. I'm seriously consider leaving my house four hours before my finals begin. Afterwards, I have to attend a work-related clinic. I'll leave school two hours before this is scheduled as well.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 11:34 PM) What are you sick of? West Coast troubles. And World Series Championships.

I'm sick of this. Go to Anaheim, take 2/3 or sweep. No excuses. Call it a .500 roadtrip on the West Coast and take your chances in Cleveland. I hope to God Guillen avoids his Sunday lineups in Anaheim. Unless we clinch another playoff birth by tomorrow, I don't want to see Mackowiak, Cintron and Ozuna in the same starting lineup.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 10:10 PM) We would have won this game if Bobby doesn't give up that run. Dumbass Hargrove would have brought in everyday eddie to give up the GW-HR... But since it's not a save situation, he brings in someone who can pitch. It didn't happen too often last season, but two years ago--whether we were down 4 runs or 1--if the pitching gave up another run in the late innings our offense would come back, but fall short of however many runs the scrub reliever gave up. Looks like now that won't happen anyways. If we would have scored three it would have been.

It must be frustrating as a Mariners fan to watch that last pitched called a ball. It's been a strike all night long.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Apr 26, 2006 -> 10:06 PM) That really sucks because now when Anderson hits his slam in the 9th it will only tie it, instead of give us the lead. I'm not joking That's not even close to what will happen........ They'll string together hits, talk pitches--basically everything they should have been doing earlier. Sox will score 3 runs, but fall short of the 4th on some fluke play of great defensive catch.

I wouldn't have minded if Jenks plunked Ibanez. He's been irritating the s*** out of me for years, and needs a good 98 mph fastball in the back to put him in his place.

Great, Pods decides to take a 2-2 curveball, but when it's 3-1 he's swinging at high pitches.

Nothing is more frustrating than watching a close 3-0 pitch called a strike, then the next pitch out of the zone popped up. Hard to have baserunners when players are popping up pitches out of the zone in 3-1 counts.